1.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci

2.
Infantry
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Infantry is the general branch of an army that engages in military combat on foot. As the troops who engage with the enemy in close-ranged combat, infantry units bear the largest brunt of warfare, Infantry can enter and maneuver in terrain that is inaccessible to military vehicles and employ crew-served infantry weapons that provide greater and more sustained firepower. In English, the 16th-century term Infantry describes soldiers who walk to the battlefield, and there engage, fight, the term arose in Sixteenth-Century Spain, which boasted one of the first professional standing armies seen in Europe since the days of Rome. It was common to appoint royal princes to military commands, and the men under them became known as Infanteria. in the Canadian Army, the role of the infantry is to close with, and destroy the enemy. In the U. S. Army, the closes with the enemy, by means of fire and maneuver, in order to destroy or capture him, or to repel his assault by fire, close combat. In the U. S. Marine Corps, the role of the infantry is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy fire and maneuver. Beginning with the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, artillery has become a dominant force on the battlefield. Since World War I, combat aircraft and armoured vehicles have become dominant. In 20th and 21st century warfare, infantry functions most effectively as part of a combined arms team including artillery, armour, Infantry relies on organized formations to be employed in battle. These have evolved over time, but remain a key element to effective infantry development and deployment, until the end of the 19th century, infantry units were for the most part employed in close formations up until contact with the enemy. This allowed commanders to control of the unit, especially while maneuvering. The development of guns and other weapons with increased firepower forced infantry units to disperse in order to make them less vulnerable to such weapons. This decentralization of command was made possible by improved communications equipment, among the various subtypes of infantry is Medium infantry. This refers to infantry which are heavily armed and armored than heavy infantry. In the early period, medium infantry were largely eliminated due to discontinued use of body armour up until the 20th century. In the United States Army, Stryker Infantry is considered Medium Infantry, since they are heavier than light infantry, Infantry doctrine is the concise expression of how infantry forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements. It is a guide to action, not a set of hard, doctrine provides a very common frame of reference across the military forces, allowing the infantry to function cooperatively in what are now called combined arms operations. Doctrine helps standardise operations, facilitating readiness by establishing common ways of accomplishing infantry tasks, doctrine links theory, history, experimentation, and practice

3.
Massachusetts Line
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These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. Line regiments were assigned to a state, which was then financially responsible for the maintenance of the regiment. The concept of the line was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, the size of the Massachusetts Line varied from as many as 27 active regiments to four. Massachusetts line troops were involved in most of the major battles north of Chesapeake Bay. General officers of the line included Major Generals Artemas Ward, William Heath, and Benjamin Lincoln, the lines history began in the immediate aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, after which the Massachusetts Provincial Congress raised 27 regiments as a provincial army. These units, which were organized by mid-May, were adopted into the first establishment of the Continental Army in June 1775. These units were referred to by the names of their colonels. At the end of 1775 the army was reorganized into its establishment, a number of Massachusetts units were disbanded. In the 1776 establishment regiments from the states identified as Continental regiments. At the end of 1776 the army was again reorganized, the third establishment restored a state-based regimental numbering scheme which was retained until the end of the war. After two major reorganizations the army was almost completely disbanded in November 1783, leaving a regiment under the command of Massachusetts Colonel Henry Jackson. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised were part of a state quota, on December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These dictatorial powers included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Henley of Massachusetts, who accepted. Henley had been adjutant general on the staffs of Generals William Heath and Joseph Spencer, Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Raymond Lee of Massachusetts, who accepted. In 1776, Lee had been the major of John Glovers famous Marblehead regiment, finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Jackson of Massachusetts, who accepted. These three regiments were raised in Massachusetts in the spring of 1777, much of the recruiting for them was done in the Boston area, which until then had been unable to raise troops because of the British occupation. Henleys and Lees Regiments were consolidated into Jacksons Regiment on April 9,1779, Jacksons Regiment was allotted to the Massachusetts Line on July 24,1780, and officially designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment

4.
Battles of Saratoga
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The Battles of Saratoga marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign giving a decisive victory to the Americans over the British in the American Revolutionary War. Burgoyne fought two battles to break out. They took place eighteen days apart on the ground,9 miles south of Saratoga. Trapped by superior American forces, and with no relief in sight, Burgoyne retreated to Saratoga and his surrender, says historian Edmund Morgan, was a great turning point of the war because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory. Burgoynes strategy to divide New England from the colonies had started well. He won a tactical victory over General Horatio Gates and the Continental Army in the September 19 Battle of Freemans Farm at the cost of significant casualties. His gains were erased when he attacked the Americans in the October 7 Battle of Bemis Heights. Burgoyne was therefore compelled to retreat, and his army was surrounded by the much larger American force at Saratoga and this battle also resulted in Spain joining France in the war against Britain. The first battle, on September 19, began when Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the entrenched American position on Bemis Heights, Benedict Arnold, anticipating the maneuver, placed significant forces in his way. While Burgoyne did gain control of Freemans Farm, it came at the cost of significant casualties, skirmishing continued in the days following the battle, while Burgoyne waited in the hope that reinforcements would arrive from New York City. Militia forces continued to arrive, swelling the size of the American army, disputes within the American camp led Gates to strip Arnold of his command. Burgoyne attacked Bemis Heights again on October 7 after it became apparent he would not receive relieving aid in time, when the American Revolutionary War approached the two-year point, the British changed their plans. Giving up on the rebellious New England colonies, they decided to split the Thirteen Colonies and isolate New England from what the British believed to be the more loyal middle, the British command devised a grand plan to divide the colonies via a three-way pincer movement in 1777. The northern pincer was to proceed southward from Montreal, and the three forces were to meet in the vicinity of Albany, New York, severing New England from the other colonies. In June 1777 British General John Burgoyne, known as Gentleman Johnny for his manners, after his early capture of Fort Ticonderoga, his campaign had become bogged down in difficulties. Elements of the army had reached the upper Hudson as early as the end of July, one attempt to alleviate these difficulties failed when nearly 1,000 men were killed or captured at the August 16 Battle of Bennington. Furthermore, news reached Burgoyne on August 28 that St. Legers expedition down the Mohawk River valley had turned back after the failed Siege of Fort Stanwix. Faced with the need to reach defensible winter quarters, which would require either retreat back to Ticonderoga or advance to Albany, consequent to this decision he made two further crucial decisions

5.
Battle of Monmouth
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The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28,1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House and it is also known as the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. Sensing the opportunity to smash the Continentals, Cornwallis pressed his attack, finally, Washington tried to hit the exhausted British rear guard on both flanks, but darkness forced the end of the engagement. Both armies held the field, but the British commanding general Clinton withdrew undetected at midnight to resume his armys march to New York City. The battle improved the military reputations of Washington, Lafayette and Anthony Wayne but ended the career of Charles Lee, who would face court martial at Englishtown for his failures on the day. According to some accounts, an American soldiers wife, Mary Hays, brought water to thirsty soldiers in the June heat, British forces had captured Philadelphia in 1777. Clinton was ordered to dispatch units to West Florida and the West Indies which left him too few troops to continue occupying Philadelphia, Clinton was also ordered to abandon New York and withdraw to Quebec if he felt his position there was untenable. A French fleet under dEstaing had sailed from Toulon in April,1778 and it was originally intended that the withdrawing British army would travel directly to New York via the sea, escorted by the Royal Navy. A lack of transports forced Clinton to change his plans, while the stores, heavy equipment and Loyalist American civilians fleeing revenge attacks would be shipped by sea, the main army would march overland across New Jersey. On June 18, the British began to evacuate Philadelphia, the British force comprised 11,000 British and German regulars, a thousand Loyalists from Philadelphia, and a baggage train 12 miles long. As the British advanced, the Americans slowed their advance by burning bridges, muddying wells, with a high of over 100 °F, both sides lost almost as many men to heat stroke as to the enemy. Major General Charles Lee, Washingtons second-in-command, advised awaiting developments as he did not wish to commit the American force against the British regulars. However, Washington determined that the British column was vulnerable to attack as it traveled across New Jersey with its baggage train, Washington was still undecided how to attack the British column, and held a council of war. The council, however, was divided on the issue, with a group of officers including General Anthony Wayne urging a partial attack on the British column while it was strung out on the road. Lee was still cautious, advising only harassing attacks with light forces, Lee, as Washingtons senior subordinate, was initially appointed commander of the advance force, but turned it down because of his doubts about the plan. However, when the force was increased to 5,000, Lee met with his subordinates but failed to give them proper orders, resulting in a piecemeal and disorganized attack on June 28 against the British rear guard under General Charles Cornwallis. After several hours of fighting in the hot weather, several American brigades executed a tactical retreat, the British rear guard counterattacked and as his flanks rapidly became routed, Lee was forced to order a withdrawal. Washington, advancing with the force along the Monmouth road, encountered Lees fleeing troops and finally Lee himself

6.
Saratoga campaign
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The primary thrust of the campaign was planned and initiated by General John Burgoyne. Commanding a main force of some 8,000 men, he moved south in June from Quebec, boated up Lake Champlain to middle New York, then marched over the divide and he initially skirmished there with the Patriot defenders with mixed results. The elaborate plans drawn up in London all failed, Colonel Barry St. Leger had been assigned to move east through the Mohawk River valley on Albany, New York, but was forced to retreat during the siege of Fort Stanwix after losing his Indian allies. A last-minute effort to reinforce Burgoyne from New York City was made in early October, the American victory was an enormous morale boost to the fledgling nation. More important, it convinced France to enter the war in alliance with the United States, openly providing money, soldiers, and munitions, as well as fighting a naval war worldwide against Britain. In December 1776 General John Burgoyne met with Lord Germain, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, on November 30,1776, Howe—the British commander-in-chief in North America—wrote to Germain, outlining an ambitious plan for the 1777 campaign. Howe said that if Germain sent him reinforcements, he could launch multiple offensives, including sending 10,000 men up the Hudson River to take Albany. Then, in the autumn, Howe could move south and capture the U. S. capital of Philadelphia, therefore, Howe decided that he would make the capture of Philadelphia the primary object of the 1777 campaign. Howe sent Germain this revised plan, which Germain received on February 23,1777, Burgoyne, seeking to command a major force, proposed to isolate New England by an invasion from Quebec into New York. This had already been attempted by General Carleton in 1776, although he had stopped short of a full-scale invasion due to the lateness of the season. Carleton was heavily criticized in London for not taking advantage of the American retreat from Quebec and this, combined with rival Henry Clintons failed attempt to capture Charleston, South Carolina, placed Burgoyne in a good position to get command of the 1777 northern campaign. Burgoyne presented a plan to Lord Germain on February 28,1777, Germain approved it. Both expeditions would converge upon Albany, where they would link up with troops from Howes army marching up the Hudson, control of the Lake Champlain-Lake George-Hudson River route from Canada to New York City would cut off New England from the rest of the American colonies. The last part of Burgoynes proposal, the advance by Howe up the Hudson from New York City, Germain approved Burgoynes plan after having received Howes letter detailing his proposed offensive against Philadelphia. Historian Robert Ketchum believes that Burgoyne would probably have been aware of the problems that lay ahead had he been notified of the Philadelphia plan. Whether Germain, Howe, and Burgoyne had the same expectations about the degree to which Howe was supposed to support the invasion from Quebec is also unclear, what is clear is that Germain either left his generals with too much latitude, or without a clearly defined overall strategy. In March 1777 Germain had approved of Howes Philadelphia expedition and did not include any express orders for Howe to go to Albany. Yet Germain also sent Howe a copy of his instructions to Carleton which plainly stated that the army was to make a junction with Howes army at Albany

7.
Siege of Fort Ticonderoga (1777)
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The 1777 Siege of Fort Ticonderoga occurred between 2 and 6 July 1777 at Fort Ticonderoga, near the southern end of Lake Champlain in the state of New York. Lieutenant General John Burgoynes 8, 000-man army occupied high ground above the fort and these movements precipitated the occupying Continental Army, an under-strength force of 3,000 under the command of General Arthur St. Clair, to withdraw from Ticonderoga and the surrounding defences. Some gunfire was exchanged, and there were casualties, but there was no formal siege. Burgoynes army occupied Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, the fortifications on the Vermont side of the lake. Advance units pursued the retreating Americans, General St. Clair and his superior, General Philip Schuyler, were vilified by Congress. Both were eventually exonerated in courts martial, but their careers were adversely affected, Schuyler had already lost his command to Horatio Gates by the time of the court martial, and St. Clair held no more field commands for the remainder of the war. In September 1775, early in the American Revolutionary War, the American Continental Army embarked on an invasion of Quebec, the invasion ended in disaster in July 1776, with the army chased back to Fort Ticonderoga by a large British army that arrived in Quebec in May 1776. A small Continental Navy fleet on Lake Champlain was defeated in the October 1776 Battle of Valcour Island, the delay required by the British to build their fleet on Lake Champlain caused General Guy Carleton to hold off on attempting an assault on Ticonderoga in 1776. His British Army troops consisted of the 9th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 47th, 53rd and 62nd regiments, the light infantry and flank companies formed the armys advance force, and were commanded by Brigadier General Simon Fraser. The remaining regulars, under the leadership of Major General William Phillips, formed the wing of the army. His forces consisted of the Rhetz, Riedesel, Specht, Barner, most of these forces had arrived in 1776, and many participated in the campaign that drove the American army out of Quebec. The total size of Burgoynes regular army was about 7,000, in addition to the regulars, there were about 800 Indians, and a relatively small number of Canadiens and Loyalists, who acted primarily as scouts and screening reconnaissance. The army was accompanied by more than 1,000 civilians, including a pregnant woman. Including these non-military personnel, the number of people in Burgoynes army was more than 10,000. Burgoyne and General Carlton recited the troops at Fort Saint-Jean, near the end of Lake Champlain. By 21 June, the carrying the army was on the lake. While en route, Burgoyne authored a proclamation to the Americans, written in the turgid, pompous style for which he was well-known, American forces had occupied the forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point since they captured them in May 1775 from a small garrison. In 1776 and 1777, they undertook significant efforts to improve the defenses surrounding Ticonderoga, a peninsula on the east side of the lake, renamed Mount Independence, was heavily fortified

8.
Battle of Hubbardton
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The Battle of Hubbardton was an engagement in the Saratoga campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought in the village of Hubbardton, Vermont. On the morning of July 7,1777, British forces, under General Simon Fraser and it was the only battle in Vermont during the revolution. The American retreat from Fort Ticonderoga began late on July 5 after British cannons were seen on top of high ground, Mount Defiance that commanded the fort. The bulk of General Arthur St. Clairs army retreated through Hubbardton to Castleton, while the guard, commanded by Seth Warner, stopped at Hubbardton to rest. General Fraser, alerted to the American withdrawal early on July 6, immediately set out in pursuit and that night Fraser camped a few miles short of Hubbardton, and the German General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, leading reinforcements, camped a few miles further back. Rising early in the morning, Fraser reached Hubbardton, where he surprised some elements of the American rear, the battle took a large enough toll on the British forces that they did not further pursue the main American army. The many American prisoners were sent to Ticonderoga while most of the British troops made their way to Skenesboro to rejoin Burgoynes army, most of the scattered American remnants made their way to rejoin St. Clairs army on its way toward the Hudson River. General John Burgoyne began his 1777 campaign for control of the Hudson River valley by moving an army of 8,000 down Lake Champlain in late June, arriving near Fort Ticonderoga on July 1. On July 5, General Arthur St. Clairs American forces defending Fort Ticonderoga and they evacuated the fort that night, with the majority of the army marching down a rough road toward Hubbardton in the disputed New Hampshire Grants territory. The day was hot and sunny, and the pace was rapid and grueling, the British general, a Scotsman named Simon Fraser discovered early on July 6 that the Americans had abandoned Ticonderoga. Leaving a message for General Burgoyne, he set out in pursuit with companies of grenadiers and light infantry, as well as two companies of the 24th Regiment and about 100 Loyalists and Indian scouts. Burgoyne ordered Riedesel to follow, he set out with a few companies of Brunswick jägers and grenadiers, Frasers advance corps was only a few miles behind Colonel Ebenezer Francis 11th Massachusetts Regiment, which acted as St. Clairs rear guard. American general St. Clair paused at Hubbardton to give the main armys tired, when Francis and Hales men arrived, Warner decided, against St. Clairs orders, that they would spend the night there, rather than marching on to Castleton. Baron Riedesel caught up with Fraser around 4 pm, and insisted that his men could not go further before making camp. Fraser, who acquiesced to this as Riedesel was senior to him in the chain of command, pointed out that he was authorized to engage the enemy and he then advanced until he found a site about three miles from Hubbardton, where his troops camped for the night. Riedesel waited for the bulk of his men, about 1,500 strong, Frasers men were up at 3 am, but did not make good time due to the darkness. St. Clairs instructions were to him immediately to Rutland. Francis men had formed a column to march out around 7,15 when the British vanguard began cresting the hill behind them, rapidly reforming into a line behind some cover, the Massachusetts men unleashed a withering volley of fire at the winded British

9.
Battle of Fort Anne
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Burgoyne, surprised by the American withdrawal from Fort Ticonderoga, hurried as many of his troops as possible forward in pursuit of the retreating Americans. This group, which included about 600 men under arms, paused at Fort Anne, the British, clearly outnumbered, sent for reinforcements. The Americans decided to attack while they had the numerical advantage, the Americans retreated back to the fort when war whoops indicated the arrival of British reinforcements. While this was a ruse, it saved the British force from probable capture, more of Burgoynes army soon came down the road, forcing the Americans to retreat from Fort Anne to Fort Edward. It has been claimed that a flag was flown at Fort Anne that may have been the first instance of a flag consisting of stars and stripes, this claim is supposedly false. Burgoynes men had placed a gun battery on top of Mount Defiance, overlooking the fort, most of the American forces left Ticonderoga and the surrounding defense works via Fort Independence and the road to Hubbardton. About 600 men under Colonel Pierse Long, most of them from New Hampshire, sailed up the lake in a flotilla consisting of 5 armed galleys and over 200 smaller transport vessels. These vessels were loaded with as many of the sick from the fort as they could take, stores and supplies, the British, however, were hardly slowed down by the water defenses. Burgoyne, once he learned of the American withdrawal on the morning of July 6, with well-placed gunfire, the bridge and boom were eliminated as obstacles in the space of 30 minutes. At this point Burgoyne, breaking with rigid discipline, ordered troops to follow southward as rapidly as possible, instead of remaining in formation. Assisted by favorable winds, he was three miles of Skenesboro by the end of July 6, where the Americans, who arrived only two hours earlier, had a small stockade fort. The Americans were in the process of portaging around the falls at Skenesboro to Wood Creek when Burgoynes boats arrived and opened fire, enterprise, Liberty, and Gates were destroyed by the Americans, and two ships, Trumbull and Revenge, were forced to surrender. In the process many of the American supplies were destroyed or abandoned to the British. The Americans retreated toward Fort Anne in disarray, but not before starting a fire that engulfed most of the structures at Skenesboro. On the morning of July 8, a supposed American deserter, opting not to attack the numerically superior force, Hill sent a message back to Burgoyne outlining the situation. Burgoyne ordered the 20th and 21st regiments to quick-march toward Fort Anne in support, but poor weather hampered their movement, the deserter returned to Fort Anne and reported on the British position and troop strength. Long, seeing how few British soldiers were following him, decided to attack their position, moving as stealthily as possible, his force tried to surround the British while they were still on the road. However, Hills men heard the movements on their flanks and retreated to a higher position, abandoning some wounded men

10.
Battle of Oriskany
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An American party trying to relieve the siege of Fort Stanwix was ambushed by a party of Loyalists and allies of several Native American tribes. The Loyalist and Indian force ambushed Herkimers force in a valley about six miles east of Fort Stanwix, near the present-day village of Oriskany. During the battle, Herkimer was mortally wounded, the battle cost the Patriots approximately 450 casualties, while the Loyalists and Indians lost approximately 150 dead and wounded. There were also internal divisions among the Oneida, some of whom went to Canada as allies of the British, the site is known in oral histories of the Iroquois nations as A Place of Great Sadness. The site has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and is marked by a monument at the Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site. In June 1777, the British Army, under the command of General Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, Burgoynes objective was to split New England from the other colonies by gaining control of New Yorks Hudson Valley. They traveled up the Saint Lawrence River and along the shore of Lake Ontario to the Oswego River and they began to besiege Fort Stanwix, a Continental Army post guarding the portage. Warned by friendly Oneidas on July 30 that the British were just four days from Fort Stanwix, the force raised totaled 800 from the Tryon County militia, it was composed primarily of poorly trained farmers, who were chiefly of Palatine German descent. Setting out on August 4, the column camped near the Oneida village of Oriska on August 5 and that evening, Herkimer sent three men toward the fort with messages for the forts commander, Colonel Peter Gansevoort. Gansevoort was to signal the receipt of the message with three shots, and then sortie to meet the approaching column. Due to difficulties in penetrating the British lines, these couriers did not deliver the message until late the next morning, although many of the Indians were armed with muskets, some were not, and only carried tomahawk and spear. On the morning of August 6, Herkimer held a war council, since his force had not yet heard the expected signal from the fort, he wanted to wait. However, his captains pressed him to continue, accusing Herkimer of being a Tory because his brother was serving under St. Leger, stung by these accusations, Herkimer ordered the column to march on toward Stanwix. About six miles from the fort, the road dipped more than fifty feet into a marshy ravine, Sayenqueraghta and Cornplanter, two Seneca war chiefs, chose this place to set up an ambush. While the Kings Royal Yorkers waited behind a rise, the Indians concealed themselves on both sides of the ravine. The plan was for the Yorkers to stop the head of the column, at about 10 am, Herkimers column, with Herkimer on horseback near the front, descended into the ravine, crossed the stream, and began ascending the other side. Contrary to the plan, the Indians lying in wait near the rear of the column, apparently unable to contain themselves any longer, opened fire, leading the 1st Regiment, Colonel Ebenezer Cox was shot off his horse and killed in the first volley. Herkimer turned his horse to see the action, and was shortly thereafter struck by a ball

11.
Battle of Bennington
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Baums detachment was a mixed force of 700 composed primarily of Hessians but also including small amounts of dismounted Brunswick dragoons, Canadians, Loyalists, and Indians. He was sent by Burgoyne to raid Bennington in the disputed New Hampshire Grants area for horses, draft animals, provisions, believing the town to be only lightly defended, Burgoyne and Baum were unaware that Stark and 1,500 militiamen were stationed there. After a rain-caused standoff, Starks men enveloped Baums position, taking many prisoners, reinforcements for both sides arrived as Stark and his men were mopping up, and the battle restarted, with Warner and Stark driving away Breymanns reinforcements with heavy casualties. The victory galvanized colonial support for the movement, and played a key role in bringing France into the war on the rebel side. The battles anniversary is celebrated in the state of Vermont as Bennington Battle Day, with the American Revolutionary War two years old, the British changed their plans. Giving up on the rebellious New England colonies, they decided to split the Thirteen Colonies, the British command devised a grand plan to divide the colonies via a three-way pincer movement. The western pincer, under the command of Barry St, the northern pincer, proceeding southward from Montreal, enjoyed the most success. Burgoynes progress towards Albany had initially met some success, including the scattering of Seth Warners men in the Battle of Hubbardton. However, his advance had slowed to a crawl by late July, due to difficulties, exacerbated by the American destruction of a key road. Burgoynes concern over supplies was magnified in early August when he received word from Howe that he was going to Philadelphia, Baums detachment was primarily made up of dismounted Brunswick dragoons of the Prinz Ludwig regiment. Along the way it was joined by companies of Loyalists, some Canadians and about 100 Indians. Baum was originally ordered to proceed to the Connecticut River valley where they believed horses could be procured for the dragoons, New Hampshire responded on July 18 by authorizing John Stark to raise a militia for the defense of the people or the annoyance of the enemy. Using funds provided by John Langdon, Stark raised 1,500 New Hampshire militiamen in the space of six days and they were first marched to the Fort at Number 4, then crossed the river border into the Grants and stopped at Manchester, where Stark conferred with Warner. Stark refused, stating that he was responsible to the New Hampshire authorities. Stark then went on to Bennington with Warner as a guide, Baums movements significantly altered these plans. Baums Germans left Burgoynes camp at Fort Edward on August 9 and marched to Fort Miller, where they waited until they were joined by the Indians, the company marched off toward Bennington on August 11. In minor skirmishes along the way they learned from prisoners taken that a force was in place at Bennington. On August 14 Baums men encountered a detachment of Starks men that had sent out to investigate reports of Indians in the area

12.
Philadelphia campaign
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The Philadelphia campaign was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress. From there, he advanced northward toward Philadelphia, Washington prepared defenses against Howes movements at Brandywine Creek, but was flanked and beaten back in the Battle of Brandywine on September 11,1777. After further skirmishes and maneuvers, Howe was able to enter, Washington then unsuccessfully attacked one of Howes garrisons at Germantown before retreating to Valley Forge for the winter. General Howe resigned during the occupation of Philadelphia and was replaced by his second-in-command, Clinton evacuated the troops from Philadelphia back to New York City in 1778 in order to increase that citys defenses against a possible Franco-American attack. Washington harried the British army all the way across New Jersey, at the end of the campaign the two armies were roughly in the same positions they were at its beginning. While this time was punctuated by numerous skirmishes, the British army continued to occupy outposts at New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, Germain approved his plan, although with fewer troops than Howe requested. He also approved plans by John Burgoyne for an expedition to force his way to Albany from Montreal, Washington realized that Howe certainly ought in good policy to endeavor to Cooperate with Genl. Burgoyne and was baffled why he did not do so, historians agree that Lord Germain did a poor job in coordinating the two campaigns. Following Howes capture of New York and Washingtons retreat across the Delaware, Howe on December 20,1776 wrote to Germain, proposing an elaborate set of campaigns for 1777. These included operations to control of the Hudson River, expand operations from the base at Newport, Rhode Island. The latter Howe saw as attractive, since Washington was then just north of the city, Howe wrote that he was persuaded the Principal Army should act offensively, where the enemys chief strength lies. Germain acknowledged that this plan was well digested, but it called for more men than Germain was prepared to provide. However, by mid-May Howe had apparently abandoned the idea of an overland expedition and we must probably abandon the Jersies. Along the same lines Don Higginbotham concludes that in Howes view, was Burgoynes whole show, with regard to Burgoynes army, he would do only what was required of him. He sailed from New York not long after, Washingtons Continental Army had been encamped primarily at Morristown, New Jersey, although there was a forward base at Bound Brook, only a few miles from the nearest British outposts. In response to this raid, Washington moved his army forward to a fortified position at Middlebrook in the Watchung Mountains that commanded likely British land routes toward Philadelphia. For reasons that are not entirely clear, General Howe moved an army to Somerset Court House. If he performed this move as a feint to draw Washington out from his position, it failed

13.
Battle of Brandywine
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The British Army defeated the American Army and forced them to withdraw toward the American capital of Philadelphia. The engagement occurred near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania during Howes campaign to take Philadelphia, more troops fought at Brandywine than any other battle of the American Revolution. It was also the longest single-day battle of the war, with fighting for 11 hours. Howes army departed from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, on July 23,1777, marching north, the British Army brushed aside American light forces in a few skirmishes. Washington offered battle with his army posted behind Brandywine Creek, while part of his army demonstrated in front of Chadds Ford, Howe took the bulk of his troops on a long march that crossed the Brandywine beyond Washingtons right flank. Due to poor scouting, the Americans did not detect Howes column until it reached a position in rear of their right flank, belatedly, three divisions were shifted to block the British flanking force near a Quaker meeting house. After a stiff fight, Howes wing broke through the newly formed American right wing which was deployed on several hills, at this point Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen attacked Chadds Ford and crumpled the American left wing. As Washingtons army streamed away in retreat, he brought up elements of Nathanael Greenes division which held off Howes column long enough for his army to escape to the northeast, polish General Casimir Pulaski defended Washingtons rear assisting in his escape. The defeat and subsequent maneuvers left Philadelphia vulnerable, the British captured the city on September 26, beginning an occupation that would last until June 1778. Unloading the ships proved to be a problem because the narrow river neck was shallow. General George Washington had situated the American forces, about 20, 300-strong and his forces were able to reconnoiter the British landing from Iron Hill near Newark, Delaware, about nine miles to the northeast. Because of the delay disembarking from the ships, Howe did not set up a typical camp, as a result, Washington was not able to accurately gauge the strength of the opposing forces. This site was important as it was the most direct passage across the Brandywine River on the road from Baltimore to Philadelphia, on September 9, Washington positioned detachments to guard other fords above and below Chadds Ford, hoping to force the battle there. Further upstream was a brigade under Colonel Moses Hazen covering Buffingtons Ford, Washington was confident that the area was secure. The British grouped forces at nearby Kennett Square, Howe, who had better information about the area than Washington, had no intention of mounting a full-scale frontal attack against the prepared American defenses. He instead employed a flanking maneuver, similar to that used in the Battle of Long Island, about 6,800 men under the command of Wilhelm von Knyphausen advanced to meet Washingtons troops at Chadds Ford. September 11 began with a fog, which provided cover for the British troops. Washington received contradictory reports about the British troop movements and continued to believe that the force was moving to attack at Chadds Ford

14.
Battle of Paoli
–
The Battle of Paoli was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 20,1777, in the area surrounding present-day Malvern, Pennsylvania. On the evening of September 20, British forces under Major General Charles Grey led an attack on Waynes encampment near the Paoli Tavern. Although there were relatively few American casualties, claims were made that the British took no prisoners and granted no quarter, after the American defeat at the Battle of Brandywine, American Major General George Washington was intent on accomplishing two tasks. Washington withdrew across the Schuylkill River, marched through Philadelphia, since the Schuylkill was fordable only far upstream starting at Matsons Ford, Washington could protect both the capital and the vital supply areas to the west from behind the river barrier. Washington reconsidered, and recrossed the river to face the British, when the British columns passed by, Wayne followed, under orders from Washington to harass the British and attempt to capture all or part of their baggage train. Wayne assumed that his presence was undetected and camped close to the British lines in Paoli, Pennsylvania. His division consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th Pennsylvania Regiments, Hartleys Regiment, an artillery company. All told, it was about 1,500 strong, camped about 1 mile away was William Smallwoods Maryland militia, about 2,100 relatively inexperienced troops. The British heard rumors that Wayne was in the area, since his position was just 4 miles from the British camp at Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania, Howe immediately planned an attack on Waynes relatively exposed camp. At 10 p. m. Greys troops consisted of the 2nd Light Infantry, altogether, his brigade comprised some 1,200 men. To ensure that the Americans were not alerted, Grey had the flints removed from his troops muskets, the British, led by a local blacksmith forced to act as guide, approached the camp from a wood and were able to achieve complete surprise. They stormed the camp in three waves—the 2nd Light Infantry in the lead followed by the 44th and the 42nd, completely unprepared, Waynes troops fled from the camp and were pursued. Near the White Horse Tavern the British encountered Smallwoods force and routed it as well, with casualties of only 4 killed and 7 wounded, the British had routed an entire American division. Historian Thomas J. McGuire says that 53 Americans were buried on the battlefield, local tradition says that 8 more Americans killed in the battle were buried at the nearby Anglican church of St. Peter-in-the-Great Valley. 71 prisoners were taken by the British,40 of whom were so badly wounded that they had to be left behind in nearby houses, a total of 272 men were killed, wounded or missing from Waynes division after the battle. An official inquiry found that Wayne was not guilty of misconduct, Wayne was enraged and demanded a full court-martial. On November 1, a board of 13 officers declared that Wayne had acted with honor, the incident gained notoriety partly because of accounts by eyewitnesses who stated that the British had stabbed or mutilated Americans who tried to surrender. Among them were the following, I with my own Eyes, see them, cut & hack some of our poor Men to pieces after they had fallen in their hands, - Lt. Col. Adam Hubley, 10th PA Regiment

15.
Battle of Germantown
–
The Battle of Germantown was a major engagement in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War. Howe left a garrison of some 3,000 troops in Philadelphia, while moving the bulk of his force to Germantown, learning of the division, Washington determined to engage the British. His plan called for four columns to converge on the British position at Germantown. The ambition behind the plan was to surprise and destroy the British force, much in the way as Washington had surprised. In Germantown, Howe had his infantry and the 40th Foot spread across his front as pickets. In the main camp, Wilhelm von Knyphausen commanded the British left, a heavy fog caused a great deal of confusion among the approaching Americans. After a sharp contest, Sullivans column routed the British pickets, unseen in the fog, around 120 men of the British 40th Foot barricaded the Chew Mansion. When the American reserve moved forward, Washington made the decision to launch repeated assaults on the position. Penetrating several hundred yards beyond the mansion, Sullivans wing became dispirited, running low on ammunition, as they withdrew, Anthony Waynes division collided with part of Greenes late-arriving wing in the fog. Mistaking each other for the enemy, they opened fire, meanwhile, Greenes left-centre column threw back the British right. With Sullivans column repulsed, the British left outflanked Greenes column, the two militia columns had only succeeded in diverting the attention of the British, and had made no progress before they withdrew. Despite the defeat, France, already impressed by the American success at Saratoga, Howe did not vigorously pursue the defeated Americans, instead turning his attention to clearing the Delaware River of obstacles at Red Bank and Fort Mifflin. After unsuccessfully attempting to draw Washington into combat at White Marsh, Washington, his army intact, withdrew to Valley Forge, where he wintered and re-trained his forces. The Philadelphia campaign had begun badly for the Americans, the Continental Army had suffered a string of defeats at Brandywine, and at Paoli, leaving the city of Philadelphia defenceless. Charles Cornwallis subsequently seized Philadelphia for the British on September 26,1777, Howe left a garrison of 3,462 men to defend the city, moving the bulk of his force north, some 9,728 men, to the outlying community of Germantown. With the campaigning season drawing to a close, Howe determined to locate, Howe established his headquarters at the Stenton Mansion, the former country home of James Logan. Despite having suffered successive defeats, Washington saw an opportunity to entrap and he resolved to attack the Germantown garrison, as the last effort of the year before entering winter quarters. His plan called for a complex, ambitious assault, four columns of troops were to assail the British garrison from different directions, at night, Washingtons hope was that the British would be surprised and overwhelmed much how the Hessians were at Trenton

16.
Battle of White Marsh
–
The battle, which took the form of a series of skirmish actions, was the last major engagement of 1777 between British and American forces. From here, Washington monitored British troop movements in Philadelphia and evaluated his options, after a series of skirmishes, Howe called off the attack and returned to Philadelphia without engaging Washington in a decisive conflict. With the British back in Philadelphia, Washington was able to march his troops to winter quarters at Valley Forge. They then marched east on Skippack Pike, turned left on Forty-Foot Road, and marched to Sumneytown Pike, while there, Brig. Gen. Francis Nash died of wounds incurred at Germantown and was buried in the Mennonite Meeting Cemetery. Washington remained at Towamencin for one week, gathering supplies and waiting to see if Howe would move against him, on October 16, Washington moved his forces to Methacton Hill in Worcester Township. After learning of Howes withdrawal from Germantown to Philadelphia, Washington moved his army to Whitpain,5 miles closer to Philadelphia, on October 20. On October 29, Washingtons army numbered 8,313 Continentals and 2,717 militia, although the terms of enlistment of many soldiers from Maryland and Virginia were due to expire. With his ranks reinforced, Washington dispatched a brigade to assist with the defense of Forts Mifflin and Mercer, on November 2, at the recommendation of his council of war, Washington marched his forces to White Marsh, approximately 13 miles northwest of Philadelphia. At White Marsh, the army began to build redoubts and defensive works, after the surrender of British Lt. Gen. Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates sent Col. Daniel Morgans rifle corps, and the brigades of Paterson and Glover. With these additional forces, and the onset of winter. A quarter of the troops were barefooted, and there were very few blankets or warm clothing, Washington became so desperate that he even offered a reward of $10 to the person who could supply the best substitute for shoes, made of raw hides. Morale was so low and desertion so common that Washington offered a pardon on October 24 to all deserters who returned by January 1, Washingtons loss of Philadelphia and inactivity brought criticism from Congress, who pressured him to attack the city. He therefore called a council of war on November 24 which voted against an attack 11 to 4, nonetheless, Washington rode out the next day to view the British defenses, which turned to be stronger than he had expected. On October 19, Howe withdrew the British forces from Germantown, Howe took advantage of his time in Philadelphia to raise additional forces from the loyalist population in the region. Newly-promoted Maj. John Graves Simcoe reinforced his unit, the Queens Rangers, William Allen, Jr. the son of notable loyalist William Allen, raised the 1st Battalion of Pennsylvania Loyalists, and was made its lieutenant colonel. Loyalist James Chalmers raised the 1st Battalion of Maryland Loyalists, and was given its command, recruitment also took place among the citys Irish Catholic population, with the formation of the Irish Catholic Volunteers, and in the counties immediately surrounding Philadelphia. The weeks with two major armies sitting within miles of each other were not without conflict, and a petite guerre ensued in the no mans land between White Marsh and Northern Liberties. Minor skirmishes between light troops increased in intensity throughout November, with almost daily losses being incurred by both the British and the Americans, eleven houses in all were burned to the ground, and residents of Philadelphia climbed onto rooftops and church steeples to watch the spectacle

17.
Battle of Matson's Ford
–
The Battle of Matsons Ford was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on December 11,1777 in the area surrounding Matsons Ford. In this series of skirmish actions, advance patrols of Pennsylvania militia encountered a British foraging expedition and were overrun. The British pushed ahead to Matsons Ford, where units of the Continental Army were making their way across the Schuylkill River, the Americans retreated to the far side, destroying their temporary bridge across the Schuylkill. The British left the area the day to continue foraging elsewhere, the Continentals crossed the river at Swedes Ford. In July 1777 he embarked about 18,000 troops on transports in New York, in early December 1777, General Howe led a sizable contingent of troops out of British-occupied Philadelphia in one last attempt to destroy Washingtons army before the onset of winter. At the Battle of White Marsh, Washington successfully repelled the British attacks, after the battle, Washington and his troops remained encamped at White Marsh. On December 10, George Washingtons council determined that the Continental Army would move to winter quarters somewhere west of the Schuylkill River. The army struck camp the morning of December 11, and proceeded to march through Plymouth Meeting, across Ridge Road, unbeknownst to the Americans, General Charles Cornwallis led a sizable British force out of the city on a foraging expedition early that morning. Cornwallis was also unaware of the Continental Army movement, and had planned to forage in the area just south of Matsons Ford. Employing a local resident named John Roberts as a guide, Cornwallis crossed the Schuylkill at Middle Ferry, Cornwallis then proceeded up the road toward Matsons Ford. His force consisted of brigades of British light infantry and grenadiers, one brigade of regular infantry, the force took with them six 6-pound cannons. Soon after, the militia stationed at the Black Horse Inn exchanged fire with the British troops, outnumbered and flanked, the militia began to fall back in some confusion, taking casualties along the way. Reports were delivered to Potter, who was with the contingent located at Harriton House, indicating that the British were advancing in force up Gulph Road, Potter stationed five regiments of militia between the British forces and Harriton House. However, the militia were quickly overrun and they retreated back through Gulph Mills to Swedes Ford. The retreat was so chaotic that militiamen literally threw away their muskets, with the militia in retreat, Cornwallis discontinued pursuit and took up a strong position on the heights overlooking Matsons Ford. General Potter estimated his casualties at 5 or killed,20 wounded and he believed the British casualties to be higher than his. Jäger Captain Johann Ewald recorded that the British captured about 160 men in the battle after a stubborn resistance and those divisions had almost completed crossing the river when the British position on the heights was spotted. Sullivan quickly ordered a retreat back across the river, and destroyed the bridge behind him

18.
Battle of Crooked Billet
–
The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on May 1,1778 near the Crooked Billet Tavern. The British inflicted significant damage, and Lacey and his forces were forced to retreat into neighboring Bucks County, the British Army, led by General William Howe, had captured New York City in 1776 and Philadelphia in 1777. British troops also regularly foraged for supplies in the countryside around the city, since December, Washington and the Continental Army were in winter quarters at Valley Forge, northwest of Philadelphia. John Lacey, was tasked by Washington with patrolling the region north of Philadelphia, Washington was highly critical of both Pennsylvanias militia recruitment and Laceys performance. Pennsylvania, despite promising 1,000 militia to patrol area, had been unable to raise that many. Washington wrote that militia stipulated by the state had never been above half kept up, Lacey had not been as effective as Brigadier General James Potter at interdicting trade with the British, and Washington hoped Potter, off on leave, would soon return. In late April Lacey began a series of maneuvers and patrols across the area ended with his arrival on April 27 at the Crooked Billet Tavern in present-day Hatboro. One of his companies was attacked by a British patrol. In Philadelphia, General Howe ordered Simcoe, to secure the country, during the winter of 1778, British and Loyalist troops repeatedly led raids into Bucks County, despite the presence of Lacey and the militia. In April, Simcoe secured permission from Howe to launch an attack on Lacey, on the afternoon of April 30, he and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Abercromby led their contingent of troops out of Philadelphia and towards the Crooked Billet. By then Laceys troops numbered about 400, including fresh arrivals from Cumberland and that night Lacey ordered Lieutenant William Neilsen to begin a patrol between 2,00 and 3,00 am, and ordered the brigade of Thomas Downey to stand on alert. Neilsen failed to follow his orders, and his patrol only left camp shortly before daybreak on May 1 and they had not gone far when they spotted the advancing British. The British troops arrived at Crooked Billet at daybreak on May 1, Simcoe had planned a pincer-type attack, with his troops attacking from the north and east, and Abercrombys troops from the south and west. Laceys pickets, in place to warn against any type of threat, noticed the British troops, Neilsen sent a runner back to the camp to raise the alarm, but he never arrived. Surprised and outnumbered, the militia were soon routed and forced to retreat into Warminster, losing their supplies, hOVEDENs Pennsylvania, and Capt. JAMESs Chester dragoons, left the city about eleven oclock, and proceeded up the Old York road. Besides the above waggons,3 were burnt after taking out the horses, also all the huts, the royal party did not lose a single man on this occasion, and have only 7 men wounded, and 2 horses killed. As a result of this engagement, the American forces lost ten wagons full of much-needed supplies, Lieutenant Nielson, the officer in charge of the pickets, was court-martialed and cashiered from the militia for disobeying orders. On May 11, Potter returned from his leave of absence, Washington requested that Lacey remain with the militia for a short time in order to familiarize Potter with the region

19.
American Revolutionary War
–
From about 1765 the American Revolution had led to increasing philosophical and political differences between Great Britain and its American colonies. The war represented a culmination of these differences in armed conflict between Patriots and the authority which they increasingly resisted. This resistance became particularly widespread in the New England Colonies, especially in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. On December 16,1773, Massachusetts members of the Patriot group Sons of Liberty destroyed a shipment of tea in Boston Harbor in an event that became known as the Boston Tea Party. Named the Coercive Acts by Parliament, these became known as the Intolerable Acts in America. The Massachusetts colonists responded with the Suffolk Resolves, establishing a government that removed control of the province from the Crown outside of Boston. Twelve colonies formed a Continental Congress to coordinate their resistance, and established committees, British attempts to seize the munitions of Massachusetts colonists in April 1775 led to the first open combat between Crown forces and Massachusetts militia, the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Militia forces proceeded to besiege the British forces in Boston, forcing them to evacuate the city in March 1776, the Continental Congress appointed George Washington to take command of the militia. Concurrent to the Boston campaign, an American attempt to invade Quebec, on July 2,1776, the Continental Congress formally voted for independence, issuing its Declaration on July 4. Sir William Howe began a British counterattack, focussing on recapturing New York City, Howe outmaneuvered and defeated Washington, leaving American confidence at a low ebb. Washington captured a Hessian force at Trenton and drove the British out of New Jersey, in 1777 the British sent a new army under John Burgoyne to move south from Canada and to isolate the New England colonies. However, instead of assisting Burgoyne, Howe took his army on a campaign against the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia. Burgoyne outran his supplies, was surrounded and surrendered at Saratoga in October 1777, the British defeat in the Saratoga Campaign had drastic consequences. Giving up on the North, the British decided to salvage their former colonies in the South, British forces under Lieutenant-General Charles Cornwallis seized Georgia and South Carolina, capturing an American army at Charleston, South Carolina. British strategy depended upon an uprising of large numbers of armed Loyalists, in 1779 Spain joined the war as an ally of France under the Pacte de Famille, intending to capture Gibraltar and British colonies in the Caribbean. Britain declared war on the Dutch Republic in December 1780, in 1781, after the British and their allies had suffered two decisive defeats at Kings Mountain and Cowpens, Cornwallis retreated to Virginia, intending on evacuation. A decisive French naval victory in September deprived the British of an escape route, a joint Franco-American army led by Count Rochambeau and Washington, laid siege to the British forces at Yorktown. With no sign of relief and the situation untenable, Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781, Whigs in Britain had long opposed the pro-war Tory majority in Parliament, but the defeat at Yorktown gave the Whigs the upper hand

20.
Continental Army
–
The Continental Army was formed by the Second Continental Congress after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Congress on June 14,1775, the Continental Army was supplemented by local militias and troops that remained under control of the individual states or were otherwise independent. General George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the army throughout the war, most of the Continental Army was disbanded in 1783 after the Treaty of Paris ended the war. The 1st and 2nd Regiments went on to form the nucleus of the Legion of the United States in 1792 under General Anthony Wayne and this became the foundation of the United States Army in 1796. The Continental Army consisted of soldiers from all 13 colonies, and after 1776, when the American Revolutionary War began at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19,1775, the colonial revolutionaries did not have an army. As tensions with Great Britain increased in the leading to the war. Training of militiamen increased after the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774, colonists such as Richard Henry Lee proposed forming a national militia force, but the First Continental Congress rejected the idea. On April 23,1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress authorized the raising of an army consisting of 26 company regiments. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut soon raised similar, on July 18,1775, the Congress requested all colonies form militia companies from all able bodied effective men, between sixteen and fifty years of age. It was not uncommon for men younger than sixteen to enlist as most colonies had no requirement of consent for those under twenty-one. Four major-generals and eight brigadier-generals were appointed by the Second Continental Congress in the course of a few days, after Pomeroy did not accept, John Thomas was appointed in his place. As the Continental Congress increasingly adopted the responsibilities and posture of a legislature for a sovereign state, as a result, the army went through several distinct phases, characterized by official dissolution and reorganization of units. Soldiers in the Continental Army were citizens who had volunteered to serve in the army, early in the war the enlistment periods were short, as the Continental Congress feared the possibility of the Continental Army evolving into a permanent army. The army never numbered more than 17,000 men, turnover proved a constant problem, particularly in the winter of 1776–77, and longer enlistments were approved. Major General Philip Schuylers ten regiments in New York were sent to invade Canada, the Continental Army of 1776, reorganized after the initial enlistment period of the soldiers in the 1775 army had expired. Despite attempts to broaden the recruiting base beyond New England, the 1776 army remained skewed toward the Northeast both in terms of its composition and of its geographical focus. This army consisted of 36 regiments, most standardized to a battalion of 768 men strong and formed into eight companies. Enlistment terms extended to three years or to the length of the war to avoid the crises that depleted forces

21.
Connecticut Line
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The Connecticut Line was a formation within the Continental Army. These, together with similarly apportioned contingents from the twelve states. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, in the course of the war,27 infantry regiments were assigned to the Connecticut Line. This included the eight regiments of 1775, Woosters Provisional Regiment, the five numbered Continental regiments of 1776. Webbs Additional Continental Regiment, which became the 9th Connecticut Regiment. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, on December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to Samuel Blatchley Webb, who accepted. Webb had formerly served as one of Washington’s personal aides, webb’s Regiment was allotted to the Connecticut Line on July 24,1780, and officially designated the 9th Connecticut Regiment. The 9th Connecticut Regiment was consolidated with the 2d Connecticut Regiment on January 1,1781, half of Sherburne’s Additional Continental Regiment was drawn Rhode Island and half from Connecticut. Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. Elmores Regiment, raised in 1776 for the defense of Canada, was an example of such an “extra” regiment, in response, the Connecticut Assembly voted, on April 27,1775, to contribute 6,000 men to this army. The Connecticut troops were formed into six infantry regiments, Connecticut infantry regiments had an official establishment of 1,046 officers and men in ten companies. The troops were enlisted to serve until December 10,1775 and this was done on June 14,1775, and these troops were designated the Continental Army. George Washington was selected as commander in chief of this force, and all other Continental Army troops, the board was to consist of a brigadier general as moderator and six field officers as members. It completed its task on August 20,1775, and reported its decision to Washington, the regiments of infantry in the Continental Army were accordingly numbered without reference to their colony of origin. There were thirty-nine Regiments of Foot in the Army of the United Colonies, in General Orders, Washington often referred to his regiments by these numbers, and they appear in the strength reports compiled by Adjutant General Horatio Gates. The 1st Connecticut Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel David Wooster, Woosters Regiment was assigned to the Separate, or New York, Department in 1775 and did not receive an additional designation in August

22.
Georgia Line
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The Georgia Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term Georgia Line referred to the quota of one regiment which was assigned to Georgia at various times by the Continental Congress. The term also included the three regiments in excess of Georgias quota that were raised outside the state. These, together with contingents from the other twelve states. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, on November 4,1775, the Continental Congress created the second establishment of the Continental Army, which served in the campaign of 1776. On the same day, Congress also voted to two infantry battalions in South Carolina and one infantry battalion in Georgia. United States Army Center of Military History,1983, Georgia Roster Georgia Roster Bibliography of the Continental Army in Georgia compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

23.
Maryland Line
–
Col. Washingtons previous military experience had been during the late French and Indian War. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota and these “dictatorial powers” included the authority to recruit and raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large. Forman’s, Gist’s, Grayson’s, and Hartley’s Regiments were partially drawn from Maryland, other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a state quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. According to Maryland State Archivist Ryan Polk, what distinguished the Maryland troops from other colonial levies was the time spent drilling before joining the ranks of the Continental Army. This resulted in a disciplined, cohesive unit, the term Maryland Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Maryland at various times by the Continental Congress. These, together with contingents from the other twelve colonies. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, the Maryland Line was assigned a quota of eight regiments in 1777, which was reduced to five in 1781. Because of the service of the high quality regiments, General Washington referred to the Maryland units as his Old Line. The Maryland Line protected the evacuation of Washingtons troops across the East River to Manhattan at the Battle of Long Island, of the approximately 270 men of the so-called Maryland 400, fewer than a dozen made it back to the American lines. The 1st Maryland Regiment under William Smallwood was held in reserve, one hundred eighty Marylanders saw action at the January 17,1781 Battle of Cowpens. Holding the Line, The Origin of the the Old Line State, Maryland State Archives, Annapolis,2005 Wright, Robert K. - The Continental Army, Washington, D. C, United States Army Center of Military History,1983. Bibliography of the Continental Army in Maryland, Washington, D. C. compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

24.
New Hampshire Line
–
The New Hampshire Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term New Hampshire Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to New Hampshire at various times by the Continental Congress and these, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to Alexander Scammel of New Hampshire. Scammel declined in order to become colonel of the newly raised 3d New Hampshire Regiment, still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a state quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. Bedels Regiment and Longs Regiment, both raised in New Hampshire in 1776, were examples of such “extra” regiments. In response, on May 22,1775, the New Hampshire Provincial Congress voted to raise a force of 2,000 men to join the patriot army at Boston. These “provincials” were organized into three regiments, each regiment having an establishment of 648 officers and men in ten companies. The troops were enlisted to serve until December 31,1775 and this was done on June 14,1775, and these troops were designated the Continental Army. George Washington was selected as commander in chief of this force, and all other Continental Army troops, the board was to consist of a brigadier general as moderator and six field officers as members. It completed its task on August 20,1775, and reported its decision to Washington, the regiments of infantry in the Continental Army were accordingly numbered without reference to their colony of origin. There were thirty-nine Regiments of Foot in the Army of the United Colonies, in General Orders, Washington often referred to his regiments by these numbers, and they appear in the strength reports compiled by Adjutant General Horatio Gates. The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was commanded by Colonel John Stark, in August 1775, Starks Regiment was designated The 7th Regiment of Foot. It served in the Siege of Boston until its disbandment, the 2d New Hampshire Regiment was commanded by Colonel Enoch Poor, of Exeter. In August 1775, Poors Regiment was designated The 11th Regiment of Foot and it served in the Siege of Boston until its disbandment. The 3d New Hampshire Regiment was commanded by Colonel James Reed, in August 1775, Reeds Regiment was designated The 3d Regiment of Foot

25.
New Jersey Line
–
The New Jersey Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term New Jersey Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to New Jersey at various times by the Continental Congress and these, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Forman of New Jersey, who accepted. Forman had formerly been a New Jersey militia leader, Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to Oliver Spencer of New Jersey, who accepted. In 1776, Spencer had also served in the New Jersey militia, spencer’s Regiment was unofficially designated the “5th New Jersey Regiment. ”One company was recruited in Pennsylvania, however. Pattons Additional Continental Regiment was also drawn from New Jersey. Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. Under the command of Brigadier General William Maxwell, it was known as Maxwells brigade or simply. As with preceding military units from New Jersey, the regiments that comprised the New Jersey Line were often referred to as the Jersey Blues, the first two regiments were authorized by Congress on October 9,1775. The Third New Jersey Regiment was authorized on January 1,1776, formans Additional Continental Regiment, under the command of Colonel David Forman, was authorized on September 16,1776. Another unit, known formally as Spencers Additional Continental Regiment, under the command of Colonel Oliver Spencer, was referred to as the Fifth New Jersey Regiment. Neither unit was allotted to the New Jersey Line although they contained a large proportion of troops from New Jersey. Bibliography of the Continental Army in New Jersey compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

26.
New York Line
–
The New York Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term New York Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to New York at various times by the Continental Congress and these, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to William Malcolm of New York, who accepted. Malcolm had formerly commanded a New York militia unit, half of Malcolm’s Regiment was drawn from New York and half from Pennsylvania. Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. Nicholsons Regiment, raised in 1776 for the defense of Canada, was an example of such an “extra” regiment, the New York Line was created in consequence of the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen on May 10,1775. The Second Continental Congress resolved on May 25,1775, to permit the Province of New York to maintain as many as 3,000 troops at Continental expense. Under this authority, New York raised four regiments, each of some 750 men, which were designated the 1st, 2d, 3d, the enlistments in this first establishment ended on December 31,1775. The Continental Congress authorized the establishment of the four regiments on January 19,1776. The Continental Congress authorized the establishment of the Continental Army on September 16,1776. The troops raised under this Congressional resolution were to serve for the duration of the war, the number of regiments was reduced from five to two on January 1,1781. The New York Brigade was first established from the New York regiments on July 22,1778 to defend the New York frontier, fernow, Berthold, New York in the Revolution,1887. United States Army Center of Military History,1983, bibliography of the Continental Army in New York compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

27.
North Carolina Line
–
The North Carolina Line refers to North Carolina units within the Continental Army. The term North Carolina Line referred to the quota of regiments assigned to North Carolina at various times by the Continental Congress. These, together with contingents from the other twelve states. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, on June 17,1777, the Continental Congress accepted the offer of North Carolina to furnish another regiment for the Continental Army. This regiment, under the command of Colonel Abraham Sheppard, was designated the “10th North Carolina Regiment. ”Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units. On June 26,1775, less than ten weeks after the Battles of Lexington and Concord and this force was organized in September of that year as two regiments of 500 men each. Available online at Berg, Fred Anderson Encyclopedia of Continental Army Units, Battalions, Regiments, the Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources. Available from the University of Virginia website, historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution, April 1775 to December 1783. The Sinews of Independence, Monthly Strength Reports of the Continental Army, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press,1976. United States Army Center of Military History,1983, roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution Bibliography of the Continental Army in North Carolina compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

28.
Pennsylvania in the American Revolution
–
Pennsylvania was the site of key events and places related to the American Revolution. The state, and especially the city of Philadelphia, played a role in the American Revolution. Washingtons Secret War, The Hidden History of Valley Forge, frantz, John B. and Pencak, William. Beyond Philadelphia, The American Revolution in the Pennsylvania Hinterland, the Soldiers Revolution, Pennsylvanians in Arms and the Forging of Early American Identity. The Drillmaster of Valley Forge, The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army, mcGuire, Thomas J. Battle of Paoli. The Philadelphia Campaign, Volume One, Brandywine and the Fall of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Campaign, Volume Two, Germantown and the Roads to Valley Forge. Spies in the Continental Capital, Espionage Across Pennsylvania During the American Revolution, bibliography of the Continental Army in Pennsylvania compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

29.
Rhode Island Line
–
The Rhode Island Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term Rhode Island Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Rhode Island at various times by the Continental Congress and these, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to Ezekiel Cornell of Rhode Island. Cornell declined in order to command a brigade of Rhode Island state troops, Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Sherburne of Rhode Island, who accepted. In 1776, Sherburne has served with distinction at the Battle of The Cedars, half of Sherburne’s Regiment was drawn from Rhode Island and half from Connecticut. Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. In response, the Rhode Island Assembly voted, on May 6,1775, the Rhode Island troops were formed into a brigade of three infantry regiments. Nathanael Greene was the brigade commander, two of the regiments had eight companies each, and one of the regiments had seven companies. (The Rhode Island Train of Artillery, which was a part of this force, Rhode Island infantry regiments initially had an official establishment of 487 officers and men in eight companies. The troops were enlisted to serve until December 31,1775, the legislation of the Rhode Island Assembly which created this force described it as an Army of Observation. This term was used for the forces raised by the four New England colonies to observe the British garrison in Boston. Massachusetts requested reinforcements from the other New England colonies following the Battle of Bunker Hill, Rhode Island responded, on June 28,1775, by raising six new companies and assigning two companies to each Rhode Island regiment. The board was to consist of a general as moderator. It completed its task on August 20,1775, and reported its decision to Washington, the regiments of infantry in the Continental Army were accordingly numbered without reference to their colony of origin. There were thirty-nine Regiments of Foot in the Army of the United Colonies, in General Orders, Washington often referred to his regiments by these numbers, and they appear in the strength reports compiled by Adjutant General Horatio Gates

30.
South Carolina Line
–
The South Carolina Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term South Carolina Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to South Carolina at various times by the Continental Congress and these, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state. 1st South Carolina Regiment 2nd South Carolina Regiment 3rd South Carolina Regiment 4th South Carolina Regiment 5th South Carolina Regiment 6th South Carolina Regiment Wright, United States Army Center of Military History,1983. Bibliography of the Continental Army in South Carolina compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History

31.
Virginia Line
–
The Virginia Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term Virginia Line referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Virginia at various times by the Continental Congress and these, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to Nathaniel Gist of Virginia, who accepted. He also offered command of a regiment to William Grayson of Virginia. In 1776, Grayson had served as one of Washington’s personal aides, finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Charles Mynn Thruston of Virginia, who accepted. Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. The independent companies raised by Virginia in 1777 to garrison Fort Pitt, in August 1775 the Virginia Convention voted to raise fifteen companies to serve one year. The companies were raised in the fall of 1775 and organized into two regiments, the Continental Congress resolved, on November 1,1775, to place these two regiments on the Continental establishment. The regiments were designated the 1st and 2d Virginia Regiments, the 1st Virginia Regiment was commanded by Patrick Henry. The 2d Virginia Regiment was commanded by William Woodford, on December 28,1775, the Continental Congress voted to raise four more regiments in Virginia. The Virginia Convention concurred on January 11,1776, the Convention ordered that an additional 72 companies be raised and that the term of service of the original fifteen companies be extended. The 87 companies were to be organized into nine regiments of ten companies each, the new force was to serve for not exceeding two and a half years. In the course of 1776 the state regiments were placed on the Continental establishment, on September 16,1776, the Continental Congress resolved to raise an army of eighty-eight infantry regiments which were to serve for the duration of the war. Virginia was called upon to contribute fifteen of these regiments, the 1st through 9th Virginia Regiments were reconstituted in the Continental Army as regiments raised to serve for the duration of the war. The cadres for these regiments were drawn from the regiments which Virginia had sent to the field in 1775 and 1776, the remaining six regiments were entirely new

32.
Armand's Legion
–
Armands Legion was formed on June 25,1778 at Boston, Massachusetts under the command of Colonel Charles Armand Tuffin of France, for service with the Continental Army. George Washington had given permission to Armand to raise a legion in 1776, but Armand did not fare so well, the Legion was recruited primarily from foreign volunteers to the American Revolution. After hard fighting with Washington in the north Armands Legion had taken heavy losses, in 1780 the remnants of Pulaskis Legion was added to Armands Legion. In 1781 the legion was consolidated with Capt. Henry Bedkins Troop of Light Horse and was reorganized and renamed the 1st Partisan Corps, the Legion would see action at the Battle of Camden, Battle of Guilford Court House and the Battle of Yorktown. The Legion was disbanded at York, Pennsylvania on December 25,1783

33.
Lee's Legion
–
Lees Legion was a military unit within the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It primarily served in the Southern Theater of Operations, and gained a reputation for efficiency and bravery on the battlefield and ruthlessness equal to that of Tarletons Raiders. The original unit was raised June 8,1776, at Williamsburg, Virginia, on April 7,1778, the Legion left the 1st CLDs and became known as Lees Legion. It included elements of cavalry and foot, and typically was uniformed with short green woolen jackets and white linen or doeskin pants. The unit first saw action in September of that year, defeating a Hessian regiment in an ambush, when Lord Cornwallis moved his British Army into North Carolina, Lees Legion entered South Carolina to protect that colony, to intimidate Loyalists and harass British expeditions. Often, the Legion served with Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter in these missions, in 1781, it participated in Pyles Massacre and the Siege of Ninety Six. The Legion saw considerable action at the Battle of Guilford Court House, the Legion was disbanded at Winchester, Virginia, on November 15,1783. United States Marshal Robert Forsyth was a member of Lees Legion, Lees Legion Remembered, Profiles of the 2nd Partisan Corps NWTA Congressional Forces

34.
Militia (United States)
–
The militia of the United States, as defined by the US Congress, has changed over time, complicating its meaning. During colonial America, all able-bodied men of certain ages were eligible for the militia, individual towns formed local independent militias for their own defense. The year before the US Constitution was ratified, The Federalist Papers detailed the founders vision of the militia, the new Constitution empowered Congress to regulate this national military force, leaving significant control in the hands of each State government. Unorganized militia – composing the Reserve Militia, every able-bodied man of at least 17 and under 45 years of age, the term militia derives from Old English milite meaning soldiers, militisc meaning military and also classical Latin milit-, miles meaning soldier. The Modern English term militia dates to the year 1590, with the meaning now obsolete. The spelling of millitia is often observed in written and printed materials from the 17th century through the 19th century, the early colonists of America considered the militia an important social institution, necessary to provide defense and public safety. During the French and Indian Wars, town militia formed a pool for the Provincial Forces. The legislature of the colony would authorize a certain level for the seasons campaign. In September 1755, George Washington, then adjutant-general of the Virginia militia, upon a frustrating and futile attempt to call up the militia to respond to a frontier Indian attack. And what added to his mortification was, that the laws gave him no power to correct these evils, either by enforcing discipline, or compelling the indolent, the militia system was suited for only to times of peace. It provided for calling out men to repel invasion, but the powers granted for effecting it were so limited, see New Hampshire Provincial Regiment for a history of a Provincial unit during the French and Indian War. This was far short of the wanted, that the council recommended an immediate application to the New England governments to make up the deficiency. They recommended to the militia to form themselves into companies of minute-men and these minute-men were to consist of one quarter of the whole militia, to be enlisted under the direction of the field-officers, and divide into companies, consisting of at least fifty men each. The privates were to choose their captains and subalterns, and these officers were to form the companies into battalions, and chose the field-officers to command the same. Hence the minute-men became a distinct from the rest of the militia. More attention than formerly was likewise bestowed on the training and drilling of militia, the American Revolutionary War began near Boston, Massachusetts with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, in which a group of local militias constituted the American side. On April 19,1775, a British force 800 strong marched out of Boston to Concord intending to destroy Patriot arms, at 5,00 in the morning at Lexington, they met about 70 armed militiamen whom they ordered to disperse, but the militiamen refused. Firing ensued, it is not clear which side opened fire, eight militiamen were killed and ten wounded, whereupon the remainder took flight

35.
Boston
–
Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. Boston is also the seat of Suffolk County, although the county government was disbanded on July 1,1999. The city proper covers 48 square miles with a population of 667,137 in 2015, making it the largest city in New England. Alternately, as a Combined Statistical Area, this wider commuting region is home to some 8.1 million people, One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston was founded on the Shawmut Peninsula in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England. It was the scene of several key events of the American Revolution, such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston. Upon U. S. independence from Great Britain, it continued to be an important port and manufacturing hub as well as a center for education, through land reclamation and municipal annexation, Boston has expanded beyond the original peninsula. Its rich history attracts many tourists, with Faneuil Hall alone drawing over 20 million visitors per year, Bostons many firsts include the United States first public school, Boston Latin School, first subway system, the Tremont Street Subway, and first public park, Boston Common. Bostons economic base also includes finance, professional and business services, biotechnology, information technology, the city has one of the highest costs of living in the United States as it has undergone gentrification, though it remains high on world livability rankings. Bostons early European settlers had first called the area Trimountaine but later renamed it Boston after Boston, Lincolnshire, England, the renaming on September 7,1630 was by Puritan colonists from England who had moved over from Charlestown earlier that year in quest of fresh water. Their settlement was limited to the Shawmut Peninsula, at that time surrounded by the Massachusetts Bay and Charles River. The peninsula is thought to have been inhabited as early as 5000 BC, in 1629, the Massachusetts Bay Colonys first governor John Winthrop led the signing of the Cambridge Agreement, a key founding document of the city. Puritan ethics and their focus on education influenced its early history, over the next 130 years, the city participated in four French and Indian Wars, until the British defeated the French and their Indian allies in North America. Boston was the largest town in British America until Philadelphia grew larger in the mid-18th century, Bostons harbor activity was significantly curtailed by the Embargo Act of 1807 and the War of 1812. Foreign trade returned after these hostilities, but Bostons merchants had found alternatives for their investments in the interim. Manufacturing became an important component of the economy, and the citys industrial manufacturing overtook international trade in economic importance by the mid-19th century. Boston remained one of the nations largest manufacturing centers until the early 20th century, a network of small rivers bordering the city and connecting it to the surrounding region facilitated shipment of goods and led to a proliferation of mills and factories. Later, a network of railroads furthered the regions industry. Boston was a port of the Atlantic triangular slave trade in the New England colonies

36.
West Point, New York
–
West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. West Point was established in 1775 by George Washington who considered it the most important strategic position in America, until January 1778, West Point was not occupied by the military. It comprises approximately 16,000 acres including the campus of the United States Military Academy at West Point and it is a Census Designated Place located in the Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, located on the western bank of the Hudson River. The population was 6,763 at the 2010 census and it is part of the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark, NY–NJ–CT–PA Combined Statistical Area. West Point, was a site during the Revolutionary War. Originally picked because of the abnormal S-curve in the Hudson at this point, it was founded by military engineer and it was manned by a small garrison of Continental soldiers through the entirety of the war. A great iron chain was laid across the Hudson at this point in order to impede British Navy vessels, the site comprised multiple redoubts, including Fort Putnam, which is still preserved in a Revolutionary-period design. However, Arnolds plot failed when British Major John André was captured as a spy by the Americans, arnold received a decreased cash reward of £6,000 but was commissioned as a Brigadier General in the British Army. The United States Military Academy was established at West Point in 1802 and has the longest continuous service of any United States military installation and is the nations oldest service academy. In 1937, the West Point Bullion Depository was constructed, in 1988, it became the West Point Mint, West Point is located at 41° 23′ N 73°58 W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has an area of 25.1 square miles,24.3 sq mi land and 0.7 sq mi water. West Point and the village of Highland Falls, New York, are on the west bank of the Hudson River. West Point lies in the transition between the continental and humid subtropical zones, although lying closer to the former, with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold with moderate snowfall. The monthly daily average ranges from 27.5 °F in January to 74.1 °F in July, on average, temperatures reaching 90 °F or 0 °F occur on 17 and 1.4 days of the year. Extremes in temperature range from 106 °F on July 22,1926 down to −17 °F on February 9,1934, as of the census of 2010 there were 6,763 people, and 685 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 293.4 per square mile, there were 1,044 housing units at an average density of 42. 9/sq mi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 82. 31% White,9. 09% African American,0. 50% Native American,3. 35% Asian,0. 15% Pacific Islander,1. 64% from other races, and 2. 96% from two or more races

37.
United States Army Center of Military History
–
The United States Army Center of Military History is a directorate within the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The center is responsible for the use of history and military records throughout the United States Army. Traditionally, this mission has meant recording the history of the army in both peace and war, while advising the army staff on historical matters. CMH is the organization leading the Army Historical Program. The center traces its lineage back to historians under the Secretary of War who compiled the Official Records of the Rebellion, a similar work on World War I was prepared by the Historical Section of the Army War College. They began publication of the United States Army in World War II series, since then, the Center has produced detailed series on the Armys role in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and has begun a series on the U. S. Army in the Cold War. These works are supplemented by monographs and other publications on a mix of topics and it has expanded its role in the areas of military history education, the management of the armys museum system, and the introduction of automated data-retrieval systems. The centers work with army schools ensures that the study of history is a part of the training of officers, much of this educational work is performed at field historical offices and in army museums. Under the direction of the chief of military history and his principal adviser and those works under way and projected are described in the Army Historical Program, an annual report to the Chief of Staff on the Army’s historical activities. All center publications are listed in the catalog Publications of the United States Army Center of Military History, CMH also serves as a clearinghouse for the oral history programs in the army at all levels of command. It also conducts and preserves its own oral history collections, including those from the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, in addition, the center’s end-of-tour interviews within the Army Secretariat and Staff provide a basis for its annual histories of the Department of the Army. As tangible representations of the mission, military artifacts and art enhance the soldier’s understanding of the profession of arms. CMH manages a system of more than 120 army museums and their holdings, current projects include the establishment of a National Army Museum at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and a complementary Army Heritage and Educational Center at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The Chief of Military History is responsible for ensuring the use of military history in the teaching of strategy, tactics, logistics. This mission includes a requirement that military leaders at all levels be aware of the value of history in advancing military professionalism, in this effort, the chief of military history is assisted by a historical advisory committee that includes leading academic historians and representatives of the army school system. Staff rides enable military leaders to retrace the course of a battle on the ground, as one of the army’s major teaching devices, staff rides are particularly dependent on a careful knowledge of military history. Center historians lead rides directed by the Secretary of the Army and it administers the army’s Command History Program, to provide historical support to army organizations worldwide. To stimulate interest in history in the army and the nation

38.
Walker's Regiment
–
These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. Line regiments were assigned to a state, which was then financially responsible for the maintenance of the regiment. The concept of the line was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, the size of the Massachusetts Line varied from as many as 27 active regiments to four. Massachusetts line troops were involved in most of the major battles north of Chesapeake Bay. General officers of the line included Major Generals Artemas Ward, William Heath, and Benjamin Lincoln, the lines history began in the immediate aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, after which the Massachusetts Provincial Congress raised 27 regiments as a provincial army. These units, which were organized by mid-May, were adopted into the first establishment of the Continental Army in June 1775. These units were referred to by the names of their colonels. At the end of 1775 the army was reorganized into its establishment, a number of Massachusetts units were disbanded. In the 1776 establishment regiments from the states identified as Continental regiments. At the end of 1776 the army was again reorganized, the third establishment restored a state-based regimental numbering scheme which was retained until the end of the war. After two major reorganizations the army was almost completely disbanded in November 1783, leaving a regiment under the command of Massachusetts Colonel Henry Jackson. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised were part of a state quota, on December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These dictatorial powers included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Henley of Massachusetts, who accepted. Henley had been adjutant general on the staffs of Generals William Heath and Joseph Spencer, Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Raymond Lee of Massachusetts, who accepted. In 1776, Lee had been the major of John Glovers famous Marblehead regiment, finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Jackson of Massachusetts, who accepted. These three regiments were raised in Massachusetts in the spring of 1777, much of the recruiting for them was done in the Boston area, which until then had been unable to raise troops because of the British occupation. Henleys and Lees Regiments were consolidated into Jacksons Regiment on April 9,1779, Jacksons Regiment was allotted to the Massachusetts Line on July 24,1780, and officially designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment

39.
Cotton's Regiment
–
These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. Line regiments were assigned to a state, which was then financially responsible for the maintenance of the regiment. The concept of the line was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, the size of the Massachusetts Line varied from as many as 27 active regiments to four. Massachusetts line troops were involved in most of the major battles north of Chesapeake Bay. General officers of the line included Major Generals Artemas Ward, William Heath, and Benjamin Lincoln, the lines history began in the immediate aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, after which the Massachusetts Provincial Congress raised 27 regiments as a provincial army. These units, which were organized by mid-May, were adopted into the first establishment of the Continental Army in June 1775. These units were referred to by the names of their colonels. At the end of 1775 the army was reorganized into its establishment, a number of Massachusetts units were disbanded. In the 1776 establishment regiments from the states identified as Continental regiments. At the end of 1776 the army was again reorganized, the third establishment restored a state-based regimental numbering scheme which was retained until the end of the war. After two major reorganizations the army was almost completely disbanded in November 1783, leaving a regiment under the command of Massachusetts Colonel Henry Jackson. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised were part of a state quota, on December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These dictatorial powers included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Henley of Massachusetts, who accepted. Henley had been adjutant general on the staffs of Generals William Heath and Joseph Spencer, Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Raymond Lee of Massachusetts, who accepted. In 1776, Lee had been the major of John Glovers famous Marblehead regiment, finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Jackson of Massachusetts, who accepted. These three regiments were raised in Massachusetts in the spring of 1777, much of the recruiting for them was done in the Boston area, which until then had been unable to raise troops because of the British occupation. Henleys and Lees Regiments were consolidated into Jacksons Regiment on April 9,1779, Jacksons Regiment was allotted to the Massachusetts Line on July 24,1780, and officially designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment

40.
Whitcomb's Regiment
–
These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. Line regiments were assigned to a state, which was then financially responsible for the maintenance of the regiment. The concept of the line was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state, the size of the Massachusetts Line varied from as many as 27 active regiments to four. Massachusetts line troops were involved in most of the major battles north of Chesapeake Bay. General officers of the line included Major Generals Artemas Ward, William Heath, and Benjamin Lincoln, the lines history began in the immediate aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, after which the Massachusetts Provincial Congress raised 27 regiments as a provincial army. These units, which were organized by mid-May, were adopted into the first establishment of the Continental Army in June 1775. These units were referred to by the names of their colonels. At the end of 1775 the army was reorganized into its establishment, a number of Massachusetts units were disbanded. In the 1776 establishment regiments from the states identified as Continental regiments. At the end of 1776 the army was again reorganized, the third establishment restored a state-based regimental numbering scheme which was retained until the end of the war. After two major reorganizations the army was almost completely disbanded in November 1783, leaving a regiment under the command of Massachusetts Colonel Henry Jackson. Not all Continental infantry regiments raised were part of a state quota, on December 27,1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These dictatorial powers included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large, early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Henley of Massachusetts, who accepted. Henley had been adjutant general on the staffs of Generals William Heath and Joseph Spencer, Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Raymond Lee of Massachusetts, who accepted. In 1776, Lee had been the major of John Glovers famous Marblehead regiment, finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Jackson of Massachusetts, who accepted. These three regiments were raised in Massachusetts in the spring of 1777, much of the recruiting for them was done in the Boston area, which until then had been unable to raise troops because of the British occupation. Henleys and Lees Regiments were consolidated into Jacksons Regiment on April 9,1779, Jacksons Regiment was allotted to the Massachusetts Line on July 24,1780, and officially designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment

The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of General …

Hessian map of the Philadelphia campaign

Map of the Brandywine battlefield (1830 engraving)

Location of Stirling's Division on the ridge (i.e. Birmingham Hill) just west of Birmingham road (looking west). The British Grenadier battalions attacked from right to left, ultimately forcing Stirling to fall back with a bayonet charge.

The Battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775. Blue coated militiamen in the foreground flee from the volley of gunshots from the red coated British Army line in the background with dead and wounded militiamen on the ground.

New York State militia, Civil War Company "E", 22nd N.Y. State Militia, near Harpers Ferry.